Process of manufacturing gas.



No. 688,l20. Patented Dec. 3, l90l.

H. C. REW.

PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING GAS.

(Application filed July 7, 1896.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l alivamloz as, sa

N0. 688,l20. Patented Dec. 3, [90L H. C. REW.

PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING GAS.

(Application filed July '7, 1896.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets$heet 2.

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UITED STATES HENRY C. REW, OF CHICAGO,

85 WATER COMPANY, ILLINOIS.

PATENT OFFICE.

GAS

PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 688,120, datedDecember 3, 1901.

Application filed July 7, 1896- Serial No. 598,356.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY CUNNINGHAM REW, a resident of Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Processes of Manufacturing Gas; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to the making of gas,

and has for its object to cheapen its manufacture and improve itsquality; and it consists in the matters hereinafter described andparticularly pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of my improvedapparatus. Fig. 2 is a part section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

The plan shows a complete apparatus from the inlets for air, steam, oil,and coal to the outlets for final burned products of combustion andcarbureted water-gas. The vertical section, Fig. 2, shows only one side(of which the other is a duplicate) through the outlets for the burnedproducts of combustion only.

The same letters designate like parts in both drawings herein.

The apparatus is built of boiler-iron shells lined with fire-brick andis provided with proper connection and openings,substantially as shown.

A Adesignate fuel or combustion and watergas-generatin g chambers,andare called hereinafter generators. The flue C, controlled by valve 0,Fig. 1, connects them at the base below the grate-bars. They areprovided at the bottom and top with suitable openings B and IV, fittedwith gas-tight doors. They have air-supply pipes cl and steam -supplypipes J 2 below the grate-bars.

A A designate internally-fired cokingchambers, located above thegenerators and directly connected thereto. They are provided on thelower side with ash-pits G, Fig. 2, and below the perforated grates Z,Fig. 2, with separate air-supply pipes d and with openings withgas-tight doors B into said ashpits. On the sides are openings withgastight doors a, and at the top is a charging-hopper H H',adapted to bemade air and gas tight.

( No specimens.)

The irregular line through the coking-chamber, Fig. 2, designates theline of coking material. Above this line, at the lower ends of thechambers, are air-supply pipes d.

EE designate regenerative chambers,hereinaftercalled superheaters. Theyare filled with loosely-piled refractory material. Combustion-chambersc, Fig. 2, are provided, having air-supply pipes F F, Fig. 1, connectedto fines and ports K, Fig. 2. At the top of each of the superheaterssuitable provision ismadeforan oil-injectorN. Thesuperheaters,coking-chambers, and generators are directly connected by flues(designated at L)and open-spaces (designated at A, Fig. 2) above theline of coking material. At the base of the superheaters outlet-pipes OO, controlled by suitable valves 0 0, are provided for the escape of thefinal burned products of combustion, and these outlets are connectedwith an exhauster Q, having an outlet N, by the medium, if desired, of awater-heater P and an air-heater P. Neither of these heaters, however,is regarded as essential.

Outlets 0 0 Fig. 1, controlled by suitable valves, (not shown,) areprovided for the escape of the manufactured gas and are directlyconnected by pipes with the condensers, seals, or washers M M, Fig. 1.Outlets VV, Fig. 1, are also provided at the base of the superheaters asvents and are carried above the tops of the superheaters by stacksfitted with gas-tight lids, which are left open when the apparatus isnot in use.

It will be understood that I do not limit myself to the precisearrangement and details of my improved apparatus as hereinbeforedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, as theconstruction may be variously modified without departing from the natureof my invention. For instance, the apparatus may be constructed eitherin one structure with suitable dividing-walls or in two structures;also, the coking-chambers may be constructed in a vertical or horizontalposition combined with generators or combined with generators andsuperheaters, provided that separate air-supplies are furnished for eachof the chambers, and fines are provided directly connecting them.

Although the best results are obtained when the apparatus is used as aWhole, still one-half the apparatus may be operated by closing the valve0 in flue 0, Fig. 1, and a valve 0 or o in outlet-pipe O or 0 when it isnecessary to repair either side or to restrict the production of gas.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When starting up with coldapparatus, the chambers A, A, A and A are first filled with coke or hardcoal through the tight feeding apparatus H H and all openings aretightly closed; but after the apparatus is heated up all consumption offuel in the operation of the apparatus is supplied by chargingbituminous coal through the hoppers H H. The fuel is ignited at the baseof the generators'A A. Air is supplied from a blower through pipes D,and also, if desirable, above the fuel into the coking-chambers throughpipes 01' and below the perforated grates in coking-chambers throughpipes d and at ports K in the superheaters E E through air-supply pipesF F, Fig. 1. At the sametime the exhauster Q is put in operation, valves0 0 in outlet-pipes O O and the outlet N.being open, so that bysimultaneously blasting and exhausting the first heat is generated inthe apparatus and the pressure inside of the apparatus is kept at aboutthe normal. The prod'ucer-gases from the generators andcokingchambersmeeting the air-supply in the superheaters are completely burned inpassing through the superheaters. This combustion rapidly ignites thecoal the whole length of the fuel-chambers and heats up the brickwork inthe su perheaters,and the heat produced is partially absorbed in theloosely-piled refractory material. The final burned products ofcombustion are drawn out of the superheaters through the outlet-pipes OO, the air-heater P, and water-heater P by the exhauster Q and drivenout through the outlet N. In passing through the air-heater P andwater-heater P the remaining waste heat of the products of combustionnot absorbed by the loosely-piled fire-brick in the superheater isabsorbed in heating the air for the air-blasts to the apparatus and inheating the water for the boilers. By means of this simultaneousblasting and exhausting the fuel in the generators A A is raised toincandescence and is highly heated in the coking chambers A A, while thebrickwork lining of the chambers has also become highly heatedpreparatory to charging bituminous coal into the coking-chambers. Therefractory material in the superheaters E E is also raised to the propertemperature to vaporize oil and cause it to combine with and carburetthe hydrogen gas derived from the decomposition of steam. When theapparatus is seen, by means of sight-holes, to be properly heated forgasmaking, the valves controlling all the air-supply pipes and theoutlets O O are closed,and if. additional fuel is now requiredbituminous coal may be charged into the coking-chamilluminating-gas.

bers. The valve-controlling gas-outlet pipe 0 and valve 0 in the pipe 0,between the base of the generators, are opened and steam is admitted atthe base of the superheater E through steam-supply pipe J. The steampasses up through the superheater and through flue L into coking-chamberA down through the coking-chamber and through the incandescent fuel ingenerator A, where it is largely decomposed. The resulting watergas andany decomposed steam pass through flue G into the base of generator Aand up through the incandescent fuel in chamber A. The steam being thusfirst highly superheated and then passed through two beds ofincandescent fuel is completely decomposed. The water gas thus generatedpasses upward through the coking-chamber A and through flue L into thesuperheater E, mixing with the volatile hydrocarbons distilled from thebituminous coal. Here, if desired, sufficient oil is admitted through Nto carburet the gases to any desired illuminating-power. In passing downthrough the highly heated superheater E the mixed coal, oil, andwatergas become thoroughly combined into a fixed The gas then passes outthrough pipe 0 into the condenser or washer M and from thence to thecleansing apparatus. When the temperature in the apparatus has beenreduced to a point where it will no longer decompose the steam, vaporizethe oil, and fix the gases, the steam is shut off, the gas-outlet O isclosed, and the products-outlets O 0' opened and air is again admitted,as before, to the generators, cokingchambers, and superheaters throughthe supply-pipes provided therefor, in order to reheat the apparatusprevious to another run of gas.

It is thus seen that the operation of the apparatus consists in thealternate simultaneous heating up by the admitting of air and exhaustingof the products of combustion and making of gas by admitting steam andoil. As the superheaters are provided alike with steam and oil inletsand gas-outlets, the direction of steam and gas through the apparatusmay be reversed at will when making gas, according to the condition ofthe fires in the generators or the condition of the superheaters. Forinstance, after heating up the apparatus and closing the outlets forproducts and all air-inlets and opening gas-outlet at the base of thesuperheater -E steam may be admitted at the base of superheater Ethrough steam-pipe J, and the gases generated in passing the steamthrough the generators may be enriched and fixed in passing throughsuperheater E, thence through the outlet-pipe to condenser or washer M.

According to the condition of the fires or to prevent the burning out ofthe grate-bars in the generators an uprun may be made (through bothgenerators) by closing the valve 0 in flue O and admitting steam at thebase of the generators through pipes J admitting IIC ess,1eo

oil to both superheaters, as at N, and opening the gas-outlets at thebase of both superheaters, or either side may be operated alone in thismanner when making gas.

The generators A A are supplied with hot coke descending by gravity fromthe cokingchambers A A as fast as the fuel in the generators is consumedby the operation of the apparatus. 7

Fresh fuel (bituminous coal) is preferably charged at the beginning ofthe operation of gas-making through the hoppers H II, and in thepresence of the highly-heated fuel and brickwork of the cokingchamberreadily gives off its volatile hydrocarbons. These gases during the timeof gas-making mix with the water-gas and partially enrich it, therebyreducing the amount of oil required to enrich it for illuminatingpurposes. The coal is quickly coked by the heat directly applied to itin its passage down through the cokingchambers and by the combustioninduced by the air-blasts in the base of the coking-chambers.

Openings at a are provided through which bars may be inserted for thepurpose of breaking up the mass of coking coal and to move it down intothe generator if necessary. Openings B B are provided for the removal ofany accumulation of ashes formed by the combustion at these points.

In order to more thoroughly and quickly coke slow-coking coals, aseparate air-supply pipe (1 is provided in each coking-chamber above theline of the coking coal, through which air may be admitted while heatingup the apparatus. This causes combustion of a portion of the primaryproducts generated, and the resulting flames pass over the surface ofthe coking coal, whereby the heat in the coking-chambers is increasedand the brick lining highly heated. It is understood that any number ofair-supply pipes may be supplied both below and above the coking coal inorder to fully carryout the purpose of my invention.

Great advantages are gained by locating the coking-chamber between thegenerators and superheaters, as the coal is fully exposed to the heat inboth the generators and superheaters, and the radiation of the heat andthe free circulation of the highly-heated gases aids in the cokingoperation. It is seen that the combustion going on in the lower parts ofthe coking-chambers is not chilled or extinguished by the passing ofsteam through the apparatus, as the steam is not passed through theincandescent coke produced in the coking chambers. Furthermore, theprimary products of combustion passing from the generators while heatingup do notinterfere with nor extinguish the combustion going on in thecoking-chambers, as the products from both the generators andcokingchambers pass into and through the space left-in thecoking-chambers above the coking coal. It is found that when thecoking-chambers are constructed in a vertical position the productsgenerated in the lower chambers prevent and partially extinguishcombustion caused by the inlet of air higher up in the chambers.ing-chambers thus provides a proper outlet for the products when anynumber of air-inlets are in use, either below or above the fuel or both.The coke falls by gravity from the coking-chambers into the generators.By this method coke is not only quickly manufactured by direct heatwithout the use of retorts, but it is then immediately transferred whilein a highly-heated condition to a watergas-generati'ng chamberautomatically and without loss of time, gas, labor, or heat.

By the use of an exhauster it is provided that theapparatus may besupplied with fresh fuel and ashes drawn from the generators withoutloss of time, gas, or heat, the apparatus being steadily heated up whilethese operations are going on. At such times the air-blasts are whollyor partially shut off and air is drawn into the apparatus through theopenings provided to admit fuel and to draw out the ashes, so that soonafter these operations the apparatus is again ready for a run of gas.Itis understood that the manufactured water-gas may be exhausted eitherthrough the exhauster shown on the plan, and passed into a holderthrough a proper supply-pipe, or that a separate exhauster may beprovided for water-gas, if desired. It is not essential, however, inevery case thatan exhauster be used.

Any suitable means for forcing air into the apparatus or for exhaustingthe gas or for charging fuel may be employed and the number and form ofvarious ports and of minor parts of the construction may be variedprovided the substantial principles of construction and operation arenot changed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In the art of making water-gas the process which consists in raisinga body of coke in a generator to incandescence by an air- The inclinedposition of the cok blast; simultaneously coking a body of bituminouscoal in a coking-chamber by the partial combustion thereof and passingthe primary products of combustion of both the gas generator and thecoking-chamber through the said coking-chamber into a superheater,heating said superheater by admitting air thereto to complete thecombustion of the said products; subsequently passing steam through theincandescent coke, thereby generating water-gas; and passing thewater-gas through the coking-chamber to mix with the coal-gas; andfixing said mixed gases in said superheater, substantially as described.

2. In the art of making water-gas the process which consists in raisinga body of coke in a generator to incandescence by an air blast;simultaneously coking a body of bituminous coal in a coking-chamber bythe par &

tial combustion thereof, air being supplied in the coking-chamber, andpassing the partially-burned products of combustion of both thegas-generator and the coking-chamber through the said coking-chamberinto a superheater, heating said superheater by admitting additional airthereto to complete the combustion of the said products; subsequentlypassing steam through the incandescent coke, thereby generatingwater-gas; and passing the watergas through the cokingchamber to mixwith the coal-gas; and fixing said mixed gases in said superheater,substantially as described.

3. In the art of making water-gas the proccss which consists in raisinga body of coke in a generator to incandescence in a cokingchamber by anair-blast; simultaneously coking a body of bituminous coal by thepartial combustion thereof and passing the primary ing witnesses.

HENRY O. REW. \Vitnesses:

M. M. SWEETMAN, IRVWIN Raw.

